Xing Yi Quan Principles & Practice Paperback – March 19, 2026

Xing Yi Quan is thought to be the oldest of the Internal Arts. Practicing Xing Yi trains the practitioner to actualize the instinctive, hair-trigger reactions of the human body in direct, powerful movements.Xing Yi Quan: Principles & Practice presents the theory and fundamental training practices of Xing Yi Quan through explanations of the great Xing Yi masters of past generations, including their in-depth discussions of principles and theories outlined in the Nei Gong Classic (Nei Gong Si Jing), Eight Necessities, 24 Points and Six Body Shapes and their manifestation in San Ti Shi (Three-Body Posture), Pi Quan (Splitting Fist), the Five Element Fists and Nei Gong exercises like Tu Na Si Ba (Four Method Breathing). These all-important practice principles and guidelines, traditionally memorized by Xing Yi students, are the keys to correct understanding and practice. In addition, author Tom Bisio includes many of his own experiences and opinions as to the meaning and importance of different principles and practices.Xing Yi Quan: Principles & Practice is not a how-to picture book, but rather a deep exploration into the most important aspects of this profound art.Every Xing Yi teacher says that in order to gain skill in Xing Yi Quan, one must understand the principles and theories of the art. The very name of this art, “Form-Intention Boxing,” places great emphasis on the power of the Mind-Intention and the importance of understanding basic principles of training and their manifestation, both internally and externally.Xing Yi Quan: Principles & Practice is a "Master Text" that presents these important principles and theories of Xing Yi Boxing as they apply to training in a thorough, clear and organized manner.Xing Yi Quan: Principles & Practice brings together in a single book the diverse theories and principles of the art in concert with commentaries and quotations from past masters, making it easier for Xing Yi enthusiasts to grasp the correct methodology and training principles. Whenever possible, Tom Bisio includes fine points imparted to him by his own teachers, including Li Gui Chang, Fu Shu Yun, Vince Black, and Song Zhi Yong, particularly with regard to the Five Element Fists (Wu Xing) and the Practice of San Ti Shi and Pi Quan. The theory of the Twelve Animal Forms of Xing Yi Quan and the varied interpretations of the Animal Forms in different Xing Yi lineages are also discussed in detail.To further aid the serious Xing Yi student, many photographs of past masters - including Li Gui Chang, Song Zhi Yong, Vince Black, Liu Wen Hua, Sun Lu Tang, Xu Hong Ji, Fu Shu Yun, Liu Wan Fu, Sun Lu Tang, Liang Ke Quan, and Gao Zi Ying - are presented throughout the book so their postures, body alignments and the spirit they convey can be studied and compared.Xing Yi Quan Principles and Practice also includes a detailed analysis of the Nei Gong Classic (Nei Gong Si Jing) and its relation to Xing Yi training, translations of Xing Yi texts such as Cao Ji Wu's 10 Methods and Yue Fei's 10 Discourses on Xing Yi, as well as short sections on partner training, Xing Yi Weapons and linking forms. There is also a chapter on the history of Xing Yi Quan. Read more